One day, when he was much stronger, as he sat by the open window thinking of these things, John Priestly came to read to him. John had a faculty of choosing the sweetest and most comfortable portions of the Book in his hand. This selection was not without purpose. He had learned from David’s delirious complainings the intense piety of the youth, and the spiritual despair which had intensified his sufferings. And he hoped God, through him, would say a word of comfort to the sorrowful heart. So he chose, with the sweet determination of love, the most glorious and the most abounding words of the divine Father.
David listened with a reserved acceptance. It was in a measure a new Scripture to him. It appeared partial. When John read, with a kind of triumph, that the Lord “is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance,” David made a slight movement of dissent; and John asked:
“Is not that a noble love? Thee believes in it, David?”
“No.”
The word was softly but positively uttered.
“What then, David?”
“‘Some men and angels are predestined unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.’” And David quoted these words from the Confession of Faith with such confidence and despair that John trembled at them.
“David! David!” he cried. “Jesus Christ came to seek and to save the lost.”
“It is impossible for the lost to be saved,” answered David, with a somber confidence; “only the elect, predestined to salvation.”
“And the rest of mankind, David? what of them?”